Another option would be to recall ALL the NPCs from SoA(you get XP for recalling them even if you don't add them, or keep them in your party), have them join your party, take what you need. and then dump them.
I'm not sure what they all have because I continued my original party, but I'm sure there would be something good enough to start with, and then you can buy and find great stuff all the way through the game.
Shadow Keeper would be much simpler, but if you don't want to use it....
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An elevator smells different to a dwarf.
